Joshua 10:17

17 And word was given to Joshua that the five kings had been taken in a hole in the rock at Makkedah.

Joshua 10:17 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:17

And it was told Joshua
Either by some of his own people, or by some of the inhabitants of the land in his interest, who had observed it:

saying, the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah:
this seems to make it appear that they were others, and not Joshua's soldiers, that found them; for had they, no doubt they would have seized them, and brought them before him, or slain them, unless they chose first to know his will concerning them, next expressed.

Joshua 10:17 In-Context

15 And Joshua, with all Israel, went back to the tent-circle at Gilgal.

16 But these five kings went in flight secretly to a hole in the rock at Makkedah.

17 And word was given to Joshua that the five kings had been taken in a hole in the rock at Makkedah.

18 And Joshua said, Let great stones be rolled against the mouth of the hole, and let men keep watch by it:

19 But do you, without waiting, go after their army, attacking them from the back; do not let them get into their towns, for the Lord your God has given them into your hands.